Boat bumper



p 1968 R. H. HELLINGER 3,402,558

I BOAT BUMPER Filed July 5, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ROBERT H. HELLINGER ATTORNEY p 24, 1968 R. H. HELLINGER 3,402,558

BOAT BUMPER Flled July 5, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ROBERT H. HELLINGER BY t ATTORNEYS p 1968 R. H. HELLINGER I 3,402,558

BOAT BUMPER Filed July 19s? 7 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ROBERT H. HELLINGER ATTORNE S United States Patent Oflice 3,402,558 BOAT BUMPER Robert H. Hellinger, Moeller Road, Rte. 7,

. Fort Wayne, Ind. 46806 Filed July 5, 1967, Ser. No. 651,313 2 Claims. (CI. 61-48) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A spherical boat bumper is formed of two hemispheres of resilient material that are mounted for rotation about respective shafts. The two shafts are fastened to a main shaft so that they extend in opposite directions from the main shaft along a straight line that is perpendicular to the main shaft. The main shaft is mounted for rotation in bearings so that the spherical bumper can freely rotate in any direction.

Background of the invention My invention relates to a boat bumper, and particularly to a boat bumper that is generally spherical in shape and that can rotate freely in any direction.

With the increasing popularity of boating, a need has arisen for a suitable boat bumper which can be mounted on a dock, a pier, or the boat itself in order to protect the boat from damage which may result when the boat is maneuvered toward the dock or pier. And, this need is particularly important with the new materials, such as aluminum or fiberglass, which are being used in the construction of boats. While such materials have the desirable qualities of relatively low cost, ease of manufacture, and low maintenance, the materials are relatively vulnerable to impact or collision. Also, such materials may be worn when a boat is moored at a dock or pier and r-ubs or hits against the dock or pier because of the movement of the body of water.

Accordingly, an object of my invention is to provide an improved boat bumper that provides a relatively large area or angle of protection.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved boat bumper having a generally spherical shape that is free to rotate in any direction so as to minimize friction or damage to a boat.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved boat bumper of spherical shape and construction that provides relatively good protection over a large area or angle.

Summary of the invention Briefly, these and other objects are achieved in accordance with my invention by two hemispheres of resilient material which are rotatably mounted on respective individual shafts. The respective individual shafts are fastened to or are an integral part of a main shaft. The individual shafts extend from the main shaft in opposite directions along a straight line that is perpendicular to the main shaft to form the spherical bumper. The main shaft is rotatably mounted at its ends in a suitable mounting bracket. The mounting bracket can be mounted on a boat, a dock, a pier, or other structure. When mounted, the bracket holds the spherical bumper formed by the two hemispheres in the desired position for maximum protection of the boat with respect to the other structure. The hemispheres rotate freely on their respective individual shafts, and the main shaft rotates freely in the bracket so that the bumper rotates freely and minimizes shock or damage to a boat. The spherical construction provides a relatively large area or angle of protection for a boat with respect to the structure on which the bumper is mounted.

3,402,558 Patented Sept. 24, 1968 Brief description 0 the drawing The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims. The structure and operation of my invention, together with further objects and advantages, may be better understood from the following description given in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view, with portions of the spherical bumper broken away, of a preferred embodiment of my boat bumper;

FIGURE 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines 2-2 in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 shows a side view of a boat bumper in accordance with my invention with a mounting bracket shaped or formed for corner or angle mounting.

Description of the preferred embodiments FIGURES 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of a boat bumper constructed in accordance with my invention. My boat bumper comprises two substantially identical hemispheres 10, 10a. (The sectional view of FIGURE 2 is offset beneath the hemispheres 10, 10a.) Since the hemispheres 10, 10a are substantially identical, only the hemisphere 10 has been given reference numerals, and only the construction of the hemisphere 10 will be described. It is to be understood that the other hemisphere 10a has a similar construction. In FIGURE 1, the hemisphere 10a is not shown, and a portion of the hemisphere 10 is broken away in order to show the construction of the supporting bracket 11. The hemisphere 10 comprises a metallic, generaly hemispherical element 12 which is formed of any suitable metal, such as aluminum. The outer surfaces of the element 12 are provided with a cover 14 which may be any suitable resilient material such as rubber, or synthetic rubber. While it is not essential that the cover 14 extend over the inner flat surface of the hemisphere 10, I prefer that the cover 14 extend over this flat surface because it is easier to manufacture and more durable. The element 12 and its cover 14 are provided with a central hole or bore 13 that is perpendicular to the flat surface of the hemisphere 10. This hole or bore 13 receives an individual shaft 16 and suitable bearing elements to be described. The shaft 16 and its corresponding shaft 16a may be integrally formed with a main shaft 17, or may be attached to the main shaft 17 by any suitable means such as threaded connections or welding. The shafts 16, 16a, 17 are preferably made of a strong material such as aluminum or stainless steel. The individual shafts 16, 16a have a common longitudinal axis 19 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20 of the main shaft 17. A cylindrical bearing sleeve 22 is press-fitted on the main portion of the individual shaft 16. This bearing sleeve 22 fits for free rotation in a cylindrically shaped bearing sleeve 23 which is press-fitted in the bore 13 of the element 12. The bearing sleeves 22, 23 may be made of any suitable low friction material which provides free rotation between their adjacent surfaces, such as nylon or Teflon. Water may serve as a lubricant for this material. A bearing washer 25 and a bearing sleeve 26 are located in the reduced portion of the bore 13, and a Washer 27 is located in the outer portion of the bore 13. The washers 25, 27 and the sleeve 26 are also preferably made of a low friction material, such as nylon or Teflon.

When the hemisphere 10 is assembled on its individual shaft 16, the sleeve 22 is placed on the shaft 16. The sleeve 26, the washer 25, and the sleeve 23 are placed in the bore or hole 13 in the element 12. The shaft 16 with its sleeve 22 is then inserted in the bore 13 from the flat side of the hemisphere so that the end of the shaft 16 extends upward as viewed in FIGURE 2 to the outer portion of the bore 13 in the hemisphere 10. The bearing washer 27 is then placed around the end of the shaft 16 from the outer portion of the bore 13, and a locking or retaining washer 28 is then placed over the end of the shaft 16 to lock all of the elements in place. The hemisphere cannot move outward because of the retaining washer 28, and cannot move inward because of the shoulder at the washer 25. When so assembled on the shaft 16, the hemisphere 10 can freely rotate about the axis 19 because of the low friction bearing sleeves and washers. The hemisphere 10a is constructed and assembled on its individual shaft 16a in a similar manner so that it can freely rotate about the longitudinal axis 19.

The main shaft 17 with its two mounted hemispheres 10, 10a is then mounted on the bracket 11. The bracket 11 comprises a base 30 and two upstanding sides 31, 32. The base 30 and the sides 31, 32 may be integrally formed. The side 31 is provided with a suitable blind bore or hole on the axis 20. This hole receives a cylindrical or cupshaped bearing element 35 formed of a suitable low friction material, such as nylon or Teflon. The side 32 is terminated at approximately the point of the longitudinal axis, and is provided with a suitable holding cap or cover 36 which is attached to the side 32 by any suitable means, such as machine screws or bolts. When the cap 36 is in position on the side 32, a cylindrically shaped hole or bore is formed on the axis 20 and receives a cylindrical or a cup-shaped bearing element 38. The main shaft 17 with its mounted hemispheres 10, 10a is mounted on the bracket 11 by inserting one end of the shaft 17 into its bearing element 35 which is in its hole, and by placing the other end of the shaft 17 and its bearing element 38 in the proper position on the side 32. The cap 36 is then placed over the shaft 17 and the element 38, and fastened to the side 32 to hold the shaft 17 and its mounted hemispheres 10, 10a in position. The shaft 17 is free to rotate in the bearing elements 35, 38.

The bracket 11 may have its sides 31, 32 reinforced by a central web 40 which extends between the sides 31, 32 and has a circular edge to accommodate the hemispheres 10, 10a. Additional angular webs 41 may also be placed on the bracket 11 between the intersection of its base 30 and sides 31, 32 and the central web 40. These webs 40, 41 may take various configurations, depending upon design preference and the necessary strength required to support the bracket 11, and particularly its sides 31, 32. The bracket 11 may be suitably mounted on a dock, pier, or other structure by a number of bolts 44 which are fastened to the base 30 and which are threaded to receive nuts. While I show six such bolts 44, it is to be understood that more or less bolts in different configurations may be used.

With the boat bumper as described mounted in position, it will be seen that the hemispheres 10, 10a are free to rotate about the axes 19, 20. This free rotation prevents damage to boats and other objects because the impact of the boat with the bumper is dissipated or diverted by the hemispheres 10, 10a rotating. It will be seen that the hemispheres 10, 10a project beyond their mounting bracket 11 a considerable distance so that protection is provided by the bumper over a relatively large area or wide angle. This is very desirable because boats may strike a dock, pier, or other object from different angles, including up and down, because of waves or movement of the water as well as movement of the boat.

FIGURE 3 shows a boat bumper in accordance with my invention that is mounted on a braeked 50 having a different configuration from the bracket 11 shown in FIG- 4 URES l and 2. The bracket is provided 52 which form an internal angle or corner so that the bracket 50 can be mounted on an outside angle or corner of a pier or dock, or to be mounted on a post or similar object. The bracket sides 54 are parallel to each other but are canted or sloped with respect to the bases 51, 52. As viewed in FIGURE '3, this canting or sloping positions the hemispheres 10, 10a outward from the object on which the bumper is mounted So as to provide additional protection. The bracket 50 may be mounted in any suitable or convenient means such as by threaded bolts fastened to thebases 51, 52, or by holes in the-bases for receiving bolts, nails, or screws.

It will thus be seen that my invention provides a new and improved boat bumper which provides good protection because of the free rotation of the formed sphere, and because the sphere can be projected outwardly from the pier or dock. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made. For example, the hemispheres may be made completely of rubber or resilient material, rather than having the internal metallic elements. The use of two sleeves 22, 23 is not necessary, as a single sleeve 22 may provide the necessary bearing strength and free rotation. The sleeve 22 and the washer 25 may be integrally formed. Further, different shapes of brackets may be used for mounting the main shaft with its hemispheres. And finally, the brackets for mounting the main shaft 17 may take a number of different shapes and constructions, depending upon the object on which the bracket is to be mounted. Therefore, while my invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the claims.

What I claim as new and desire'to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An improved boat bumper for piers and the like, comprising:

(a) a main shaft extending along a main longitudinal axis;

(b) first and second individual shafts attached to said main shaft and extending therefrom in opposite directions along a single individual axis that is perpendicular to said main axis;

(c) a first hemisphere of resilient material mounted for rotation about said first individual shaft;

(d) a second resilient hemisphere mounted for rotation about said second individual shaft;

(c) said first and second hemispheres forming a substantially spherical bumper;

(f) a bracket for said bumper;

(g) and means rotatably mounting said main shaft on said bracket so that said formed hemisphere is free to rotate on said bracket in any direction.

2. The boat bumper of claim 1 wherein each of said hemispheres comprises an internal metallic element having at least its outer curved surfaces covered by a resilient material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,347,389 7/1920 Larsen 1l4-220 2,761,410 9/1956 Marr 114-220 3,040,370 6/1962 Ford 16-47 X MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner. J. E. PITTENGER, Assistant Examiner.

withbases 51, 

